The invention relates to a method for marking a wrapping paper for smoking articles, comprising the following steps: (A) providing a wrapping paper for smoking articles, the wrapping paper comprising pulp fibers, and (B) producing markings on the wrapping paper by means of at least one of the following steps: (B.1) removing material from the wrapping paper, (B.2) mechanically changing the wrapping paper, (B.3) treating the surface of the wrapping paper with laser radiation having an energy density y in J-m.sup.2, to which the following applies: y=kx. x is the enthalpy of combustion per volume of the wrapping paper in J-m.sup.2 m-1, and k is at least 8 m, preferably at least 7 m and especially preferably at least 6 m, and at most 1 m, preferably at most 2 m and especially preferably at most 2.5 m. Either repeating structures are produced on the wrapping paper in a step (C) such that each structure is at a fixed distance in the machine direction relative to at least one marking, or in step (A) a wrapping paper is provided which has repeating structures in the machine direction, and the markings are produced on the wrapping paper in step (B) in such a way that each marking is at a fixed distance in the machine direction relative to at least one structure.

A method for applying adhesive on a wrapping band of a smoking article includes moving the band along a feed direction, the band has a longitudinal direction of extension, opposing first and second surfaces, a first plurality of portions having a first thickness and a second plurality of portions having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the portions of the first and second pluralities being disposed alternately along the direction of extension. A nozzle having a delivery end, and the band are moved towards/away from each other between a first position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a first distance which is less than or equal to the second thickness, and a second position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a second distance greater than the second thickness. An adhesive is delivered on the first surface through the nozzle.

The present invention relates to a method for unwinding a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a blade between the free portion of the sheet and the remaining of the sheet coiled in the bobbin in such a way that the blade is in contact to the sheet coiled in the bobbin; and vibrating the blade while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin. The present invention also relates to an unwinding apparatus for unwinding a bobbin.

A coating composition for low ignition propensity cigarette paper, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises 10-30 wt % of gum arabic, 25-35 wt % of maltose, 15-30 wt % of ethanol and 10-40 wt % of water.

A composition for a smoking article adhesive may include, in one embodiment, the combination of pine rosin, acai gum, honey, maple syrup, an oil, and water. This composition may be applied to a smoking wrap in order to form a cigar or other smoking article containing an organic, palatable, and convenient wrap adhesive. Advantageously, such a system does not require licking the adhesive for efficacy.

Described are paper wrappers and smoking articles that can include the paper wrappers. The paper wrapper can include a weak organic acid or salt thereof. The addition of the weak organic acid or salt thereof to the paper wrapper can enhance the sensory characteristics of a smoking article that includes the paper wrapper. For instance, the addition of the weak organic acid can enhance the taste and/or smell of a smoking article that includes the paper wrapper.

The apparatus (10) for processing a continuous band of wrapping material (40) comprises a roller pair (20, 30) defining a roller gap (12) there between, wherein the rollers (20, 30) have matching convex and concave shapes, respectively. The invention is also directed to a corresponding method for treatment of wrapping material (40).

A method for applying adhesive on a wrapping band of a smoking article includes moving the band along a feed direction, the band has a longitudinal direction of extension, opposing first and second surfaces, a first plurality of portions having a first thickness and a second plurality of portions having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the portions of the first and second pluralities being disposed alternately along the direction of extension. A nozzle having a delivery end, and the band are moved towards/away from each other between a first position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a first distance which is less than or equal to the second thickness, and a second position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a second distance greater than the second thickness. An adhesive is delivered on the first surface through the nozzle.

A method of manufacturing a smoking article that contains, as members, at least a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment and in which a low-stiffness member L and a high-stiffness member H are adjacent to each other, the method includes (A) placing an adhesive on either surface of a tipping paper to form each portion of a high adhesive weight and a low adhesive weight per unit area after solidification, where the portion of a high adhesive weight is provided in a region for wrapping the member L; and (B) preparing a composite segment that contains at least the tobacco rod, the cooling segment, and the filter segment and wrapping the composite segment in the tipping paper.

The present invention provides a method for printing high opacity images or coatings using solvent based inks comprising hollow polymeric microspheres, wherein the inks do not contain titanium dioxide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans, The method of the present invention allows one to avoid the use of inks that rely on titanium oxide for high opacity, which has become of importance for articles that come into contact with one's mouth, for example, cigarette tipping papers.